Kasganj: 49 Arrested, Borders Sealed and Internet Shut Down After Second Day of Violence

Kasganj: A bus set on fire by a group of people who went on a rampage after the cremation of a young man killed on Friday during the Tiranga bike rally, in Kasganj on Saturday. PTI Photo (PTI1_27_2018_000204B) *** Local Caption ***

The fresh violence happened a day after a 16-year-old boy was killed and two others were injured in clashes in the city following pelting of stones on a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate the Republic Day.

Kasganj: Renewed violence broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj city on Saturday as miscreants returning from the cremation of the young boy who was killed in clashes on Friday damaged at least three shops and torched a few other commercial establishments, police said.

Two buses was also set on fire in the latest flare-up in the city, where a curfew was imposed on Friday after the clashes. A state government spokesperson said prohibitory orders still remain in effect in the city in western Uttar Pradesh, but the curfew has been lifted.

At least 49 people were arrested in the town, the borders were sealed and internet services blocked to check the spread of rumours, district magistrate RP Singh said as the administration stepped up efforts to restore peace.

Fire brigade personnel were deployed to douse the fires. A strong posse of RAF and PAC personnel have intensified vigil in the district, whose borders have been sealed to stop elements detrimental to peace from sneaking into the city.

The fresh violence happened a day after a 16-year-old boy was killed and two others were injured in clashes in the city following pelting of stones on a motorcycle rally taken out to celebrate the Republic Day.

The clashes on Friday happened after stones were reportedly pelted on the motorcycle rally taken out by VHP and ABPV volunteers as part of celebrations on the 69th Republic Day.

The UP police said they have arrested at least 49 people in connection with the violence. “Anti-social elements today tried to set on fire a small shop on the city’s outskirts… Some of the anti-social elements have been taken into custody, while others were chased away,” Additional DG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said.

“Our main job at this point of time is to ensure that along with normal law and order situation, brotherhood among communities also remain intact,” Kumar told reporters. He added the police was trying to make people “understand communal bonhomie”.

“The situation is under control, and will remain so. Sufficient police personnel have been deployed.” Superintendent of Police, Kasganj, Sunil Kumar Singh, said: “Anti-social elements had set two shoe shops afire in Ghantghar market, and fire brigade was pressed into action.

“Apart from this one utensil shop was set afire by anti-social elements. A bus was also damaged by anti-social element, who set it afire. Fire brigade was called to douse the flames.”

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya described the violence as unfortunate, and said the people behind it would not go unpunished. The state police said today that a complaint has been registered at the Kasganj police station and a special team has been formed to arrest others involved in the violence.